Seems like old times.For the first time since anyone can remember, Ohio State vs. Michigan is about something more than hatred. This time it means everything.The winner of the OSU/UM game in 1997 could determine the national champion, will determine the Big Ten champion, and as far as the players, coaches, fans and these parts are concerned, the champion of the college football universe.The battle of these two great teams will be determined primarily by how well the OSU offense can fare against the vaunted Michigan defense, which many consider to be the best defensive unit in the last quarter century.Another key factor will be the ability of the vastly improved OSU defense to stop Michigan’s methodically efficient offense. However, sole responsibility does not lie on the defense. The team will need added help from OSU’s multiple potent weapons on offense, which all told, is ranked 17th in the nation. OSU enters the contest with quarterback Joe Germaine, who ranks second in the nation in passing efficiency, with a rating of 167.5 (No. 1 in the Big Ten), while quarterback Stanley Jackson ranks third in the Big Ten in the same category with a ranking of 154.4.There’s no quarterback controversy here. The quarterback combo has proved its effectiveness with only two losses in two seasons, since the start of the system. The duo work together leaving the opposition on its toes as to what comes next. Germaine is known as the star passer, while Jackson adds to the option team and can scramble his way past any defense.Receiving the majority of the tandem’s passes is sophomore sensation David Boston who leads the Big Ten with 6.09 receptions per game and is fourth in the Big Ten in scoring (TDs) with 7.1 points per game. Boston is three catches away from breaking NFL all-pro Cris Carter’s school record for catches in a season at 69.Boston was one of the many heroes in last year’s Rose Bowl triumph, catching a pair of touchdown passes, one of which was the inspiring game-winner with 19 seconds left to play.Complementing Boston will be junior Dee Miller who is sixth in the Big Ten with 4.36 catches per game. Together the duo combines for 155.7 receiving yards per game and Boston and Miller are ranked second and third in the Big Ten respectively, in that category.Miller, who was a highly sought football recruit, has overcome injury and emerged as a key playmaker and starting wide receiver for the Buckeyes. Playing behind OSU receiving standouts like Joey Galloway, Terry Glenn and Chris Sanders sped up Miller’s success.Providing balance to the OSU attack is senior tailback Pepe Pearson who is ninth in the Big Ten in rushing at 65.8 yards per game.Pearson is in his second year at starting tailback, and ran for 1,443 yards and 17 touchdowns last year‹ both totals led the team. This speed demon has been timed electronically at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, the best time ever by an OSU back.Should the OSU offense stall, it can rely on the prolific foot of junior punter BrentBartholomew, who is the Big Ten leader in average yards per punt at 45.3, which ranks him tenth in the nation overall.Buckeye special teams also can boast of the No. 1 kick scorer in the Big Ten, freshman Dan Stulz, who averages 7.6 points per game and is 13 for 21 in field goals this year, including a 55-yarder which earned him the school record.Rounding out the special teams is receiver Boston, who is seventh in the Big Ten in punt returns, averaging 8.7 yards in his 41 returns.On the other side of the ball, OSU will rely heavily in its seventh-ranked defense in the nation to get the ball back to the powerful offense.Leading the charge against the Wolverines is Butkus Award finalist, sophomore Andy Katzenmoyer, who has tallied 84 tackles on the year which places him among the top 20 in the Big Ten. This first team All-American and Lombardi Award candidate is known for making big plays.And big plays is what this game is all about.Cornerback Antoine Winfield also shines on defense, and is labeled by OSU coach John Cooper as one of the best he’s ever had in that spot. Winfield is second on the team in tackles with 82, and second in sacks with three. He has two interceptions for 25 yards including 11 pass breakups. Despite Cooper’s record of 1-7-1 in the season-ending finale, the underdog status of this year’s team is its trump card. This is the year that OSU is best suited to get a win and re-establish the rivalry.The palpable emotions of this game can be best described by the now legendary story of OSU icon Woody Hayes. Decades ago, OSU scored a late touchdown against “the team up north,” with the outcome long since determined–and went for the two point conversion. After the game, the story goes, coach Hayes was asked why he went for two in such a lop-sided game. “I went for 2,” Hayes replied, “because they wouldn’t let me go for 3.”